Rhythmic Gymnastics in Russia

Rhythmic gymnastics is a harmonious combination of art and sport: it is not only about endurance, strength and agility, as, due to the inherited from ballet tradition of choreography being closely intertwined with music, it requires a unique sense of rhythm and musicality. This sport is a women-only event that involves gymnasts performing individually or in a group on a floor with rope, hoop, ball, clubs or ribbons.

There is a widespread belief that Russian rhythmic gymnasts are customarily among the strongest athletes in this particular field. Some explain it by the history behind how this sport has been established and has evolved within the country. Even though as a discipline rhythmic gymnastics is rooted in Europe, it was adapted as a truly competitive sport and Olympic sport in the USSR. In fact, the latter was the first country to ever host an international rhythmic gymnastics competition. Consequently, the Soviet Union had accumulated an impressive advantage in training and technical knowledge over the decades to follow, and, once it collapsed, the Russian Federation was the one to be passed on to all those resources and experience.

Ever since in 1964 Ludmila Savinkova became the first world champion during the international rhythmic gymnastics tournament in Budapest, Russia has been continuing its so-called golden streak in this discipline. Of course, some of Russian gymnasts’ names are more easily recognized than others. For instance, Alina Kabaeva is one of the most decorated sportswomen in history, whose name is inscribed in the Guinness Book of Records and who became the absolute European champion among adults at the age of 15; Svetlana Khorkina, also carrying an unofficial title of “the Queen of the parallel bars” because of having performed the toughest moves’ combination using them, was the first gymnast to ever win three all-around titles at the World Championships; Yevgeniya Kanayeva is the only individual rhythmic gymnast to win two Olympic all-around gold medals, and she was also the one to set the all-time record by winning six gold medals out of six possible during the 29^th World Championship in Japan; Lyasan Utiasheva, world champion, six-time all-around European champion, has invented four rhythmic gymnastics’ elements who are now named after her.

Worth mentioning separately are the athletes who took part in the most recent Rio 2016 Summer Olympics, as they made an unimaginable five consecutive Olympic triumphs in both individual and group events, therefore not only repeating, but surpassing the success of London 2012 Summer Olympics. Margarita Mamun, who is sometimes adoringly referred to as “the Bengal Tigress” due to her Bangladeshi roots and passion for what she does and is the current Record Holder under the 20-point judging system with the highest all-around total of 77.150 points, won the gold medal with her individual performance in Rio. Yana Kudryavtseva is the 2016 Olympic All-around silver medalist, the youngest in the history of rhythmic gymnastics. Russian team which got gold in the group competition in Rio consisted of such talented young sportswomen as Anastasia Maximova, Anastasia Bliznuk, Vera Birukova and Maria Tolkacheva.

Russian gymnasts themselves, though, do not pride themselves with being the leaders. They believe in constantly working on themselves, discipline, integrity, and have utmost respect for their competitors: while Russian rhythmic gymnastics school is considered to be the best one out there and provides its young athletes with all the conditions for success and personal growth, they are also taught to stay humble and focused, after all, – their main rivals are themselves, and only by conquering their own insecurities and fears, they can win the hearts of judges and the audience.

-          Dilyara Gafurova